SKEETER
A 35′ (10.67m) catamaran houseboat cruiser
A 35′ (10.67m) catamaran houseboat cruiser
This is the 3-D concept drawing to supplement the installment found in WB No. 266, January/February 2019.
SKEETER is a classic houseboat meant for long-distance voyaging in protected waters. With a draft of just 13″, the boat can work its way into shallow, uncrowded anchorages.
Particulars
- LOA: 35′1″ (10.69m)
- Maximum beam: 11′6″ (3.50m)
- Beam of hulls: 3′6″ (1.07m) (10:1 L/B ratio)
- Draft: 13″ (0.33m)
- Displacement (1⁄2 load): 9,700 lbs (4.4t)
- Power: Twin 50-hp 4-stroke outboards
- Gasoline: 100 gallons (378 L)
- Freshwater tanks: 50 gallons (189 L)
- Wastewater tanks: 30 gallons each (113 L)
- Solar panels: 800W total
- Batteries: 2 × 230 AH 12V AGM (520 AH total)
The upper-deck helm station affords good all-around visibility. A hatch and solar panels will discourage crowds from gathering on the forward portion of this deck.
The hulls are flat-bottomed and carry a fairly wide waterplane; they’ll take more weight to submerge than will narrower, finer hulls.
SKEETER’s accommodation is well lit and encourages easy airflow and passenger movement. Right—A pair of 50-hp four-stroke outboard motors will push SKEETER to about 12 knots, but allow her to cruise at a modest and efficient 8-10 knots.
Laurie McGowan (www.mcgowanmarinedesign.com) is a Nova Scotia–based boat designer with a diverse on- and below-water work history. He specializes in energy-efficient commercial and pleasure boats.
J.F. Bedard (www.bedardyachtdesign.com) is a designer-builder in Florida specializing in a range of CNC-cut boats and kits.
Do you have a boat concept you’d like to see Laurie McGowan develop on these pages? If so, send it to Sketchbook, WoodenBoat Publications, P.O. Box 78, Brooklin, ME 04616, or email it to sketchbook@woodenboat.com. Your letter should be no longer than 500 words.
